Remember the Caroline!

The doctrine of ‘anticipatory self-defense’—more relevant than ever

AS night fell on December 29, 1837, a small British force crossed the Niagara River from Canada into New York. Their mission was to destroy the American steamboat Caroline, which had been carrying supplies to a group of Canadian insurgents. The Caroline was boarded, fired, and set drifting downriver, towards the Falls. At least one U.S. citizen was killed, several were wounded, and the U.S. came close to war with Britain. Rather than trigger war, however, the “Caroline incident” spawned the modern international-law doctrine of “anticipatory self-defense,” a doctrine on which the U.S. now intends to rely heavily to justify military action against terrorist states. Speaking at West Point’s recent commencement, President Bush laid out the compelling policy justification for this doctrine, noting that “we must take the battle to the enemy, disrupt his plans, and confront the worst threats before they emerge.” Far-reaching changes in strategy and force posture are already being made in order to implement this doctrine.

About the Author

David B. Rivkin Jr.

Featured Tags

The doctrine of ‘anticipatory self-defense’—more relevant than ever

AS night fell on December 29, 1837, a small British force crossed the Niagara River from Canada into New York. Their mission was to destroy the American steamboat Caroline, which had been carrying supplies to a group of Canadian insurgents. The Caroline was boarded, fired, and set drifting downriver, towards the Falls. At least one U.S. citizen was killed, several were wounded, and the U.S. came close to war with Britain. Rather than trigger war, however, the “Caroline incident” spawned the modern international-law doctrine of “anticipatory self-defense,” a doctrine on which the U.S. now intends to rely heavily to justify military action against terrorist states. Speaking at West Point’s recent commencement, President Bush laid out the compelling policy justification for this doctrine, noting that “we must take the battle to the enemy, disrupt his plans, and confront the worst threats before they emerge.” Far-reaching changes in strategy and force posture are already being made in order to implement this doctrine.